#INTERVIEW: MALIA BAKER ON “HAIR OF THE BEAR”

By Mr. Will Wong

Canadian breakout star Malia Baker continues to stamp herself as one to look out for, building a very devout fanbase in both Disney‘s Descendants film franchise, and also Netflix’s The Baby-Sitters Club. We last chat with the 19-year-old Actress, and now Producer in 2021. While the world has continued to change, Baker‘s fanbase has continued to grow.

She stars next in Alexandre Trudeau‘s (yes, that Trudeau) new Manitoba-filmed Thriller HAIR OF THE BEAR, which has Baker both serving for the first time as a Producer, while also starring in the leading role as Tori. She finds herself and her grandfather caught in a deadly cat-and-mouse game after she witnesses a murder.

We are delighted to catch-up with the personable and eloquent Baker on her press tour for HAIR OF THE BEAR, spread over two days, culminating in an Advance Screening at Paradise Theatre.

We asked a few questions, including:

•What producing a film for the first time has taught her

•How Baker’s experience navigating Anxiety informed her character Tori here

•What’s ahead in 2026, including a double-feature year that includes the release of Disney‘s DESCENDANTS: WICKED WONDERLAND

•What advice she’d give her character Mary Anne from The Baby-Sitters Club

Highlights from the Chat:

@mrwillwong We chat with the amazing Malia Baker about her latest film, HAIR OF THE BEAR, a cat and mouse Thriller in theatres 3.6.26. We chat about #DescendantsWickedWonderland #MaliaBaker #theBabysittersclub ♬ Suspense – Olati souza & Italo souza

HAIR OF THE BEAR hits theatres in Canada March 6, 2026, and will stream soon on Crave.

(Photo/video credit: See More Films Entertainment/Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: “DESCENDANTS: WICKED WONDERLAND” TEASER

Today, a first look at the highly anticipated “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland,” the fifth installment in the smash hit, music-and-dance-driven Descendants franchise, was unveiled. The teaser debuted ahead of the all-new “Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special,” available today on Disney+.
“Descendants: Wicked Wonderland” will premiere on Disney+ and Disney Channel this summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SczeivOMuUQ

“Descendants: Wicked Wonderland” explores what “happily ever after” really means for Red (Kylie Cantrall) and Chloe (Malia Baker) following their time-travelling adventures in the 2024 hit film “Descendants: The Rise of Red.” Set primarily in present-day Wonderland with a host of new and familiar characters, this movie delves into the warning from the previous movie: There are consequences when you alter the fabric of time.

In this first look, Red and Chloe hide their most dangerous secret – the time-traveling pocket watch – inside the Royal Vault, unaware that a new threat is emerging. Lurking in the shadows is Maddox Hatter, now a ruthless villain determined to uncover the pocket watch’s whereabouts to bend time – and the fate of Wonderland – to his will.

Reprising their roles are Kylie Cantrall (Red), Malia Baker (Chloe), Leonardo Nam (Maddox Hatter), Melanie Paxson (Fairy Godmother), Brandy (Cinderella), Paolo Montalban (King Charming) and Rita Ora (the Queen of Hearts). New to the cast are Liamani Segura (Pink), Alexandro Byrd (Luis Madrigal), Brendon Tremblay (Max Hatter), Kiara Romero (Hazel Hook), Joel Oulette (Robbie Hood), Zavien Garret (Felix Facilier), Ryan McEwen (Squirmy Smee) and Dayton Paradis (Squeaky Smee).

Kimmy Gatewood (“Muppets Mayhem”) directs with a script by co-executive producer Tamara Chestna (“Sneakerella”) and Dan Frey and Ru Sommer (“Descendants: The Rise of Red”). Returning to the franchise are executive producers Suzanne Todd and Gary Marsh. Gatewood also serves as co-producer. EmmyⓇ Award-winning choreographer Emilio Dosal (“Wicked,” “Sneakerella”) will bring the brand-new music-and-dance sequences to life, which have become a beloved hallmark of the “Descendants” franchise.

Since the premiere of “Descendants” in 2015, the franchise has dominated youth entertainment, with each of the first three films ranking as the most-watched cable movie of their year, amassing nearly 1 billion hours of viewing across linear and streaming in the U.S. In the summer of 2025, Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide Tour thrilled sold-out crowds in over 40 arenas across North America.

The “Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special” and previous “Descendants” films are now streaming on Disney+ and can be found in the “Descendants” Collection.

#NEWMUSIC: “DESCENDANTS/ZOMBIES WORLDS COLLIDE: CONCERT SPECIAL” COMING TO DISNEY+

The “Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special” is coming to Disney+ and Disney Channel. The special will premiere February 19 on Disney Channel and will be available to stream the next day, February 20, 2026 on Disney+.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuQl9UYS3sA

Celebrating the high-energy music from the iconic “Descendants” and “ZOMBIES” franchises, the “Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide Tour” thrilled sold-out crowds in over 40 arenas across North America last summer. Now, families and fans of all ages can relive the excitement, singing and dancing along with their favourite stars from the comfort of home.

Starring Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife, the special delivers show-stopping performances, exclusive backstage access, never-before-seen footage, and a front-row seat to the electrifying concert — and fun on the road.

The concert event also includes special guest performances by Meg Donnelly, Milo Manheim, Liamani Segura and Rita Ora.

“Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special” is produced by Fulwell 73 Productions, the acclaimed team behind the EmmyⓇ-nominated Disney concert specials “The Lion King Live at the Hollywood Bowl,” “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl” and the Emmy Award-winning “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.” Gabe Turner, Sally Wood and Lou Fox serve as executive producers, with Paul Dugdale directing. Disney Concerts produced the AEG Presents-promoted live concert tour. Amy Tinkham served as the tour’s creative director, with video direction and choreography by Scotty Nguyen.

Get ready for the concert special by watching all your favourite “Descendants” and “ZOMBIES” movies and series. All available to watch now on Disney+.

In conjunction with the Disney+ debut, Disney Music Group will release the “Descendants/ZOMBIES: Worlds Collide Tour – The Live Album” on February 20 across all major digital platforms, capturing the excitement of the blockbuster 2025 North American tour. The album features mash‑ups and high‑energy performances across 24 tracks, showcasing the spirit of a tour recognized as Best Family Tour in Billboard’s Year-End Touring Report 2025. The tour also earned a nomination for Pollstar’s Family Event for Non-Music Tour of the Year, highlighting its breakout success with audiences nationwide. Fans can now listen to the official “Worlds Collide” playlist here. The album will include the tracklist below.
o “Worlds Collide” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Red” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall

o “The Place to Be” – Performed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton

o “Fired Up/Did I Mention” – Performed by Malachi Barton, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Rotten to the Core/BAMM” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Perfect Revenge/What’s My Name” – Performed by Dara Reneé and Joshua Colley

o “Life Is Sweeter” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Like the Zombies Do/Chillin’ Like a Villain” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Someday” – Performed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton

o “Dream Come True” – Performed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton

o “Good to Be Bad” – Performed by Malia Baker and Mekonnen Knife

o “Love Ain’t It” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall

o “Flesh & Bone/It’s Goin’ Down” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “We Own the Night/Call to the Wild” – Performed by Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Don’t Mess with Us” – Performed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton

o “Ways to Be Wicked” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Queen of Mean” – Performed by Dara Reneé

o “Alien Invasion” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “If Only” – Performed by Malia Baker

o “Space Between” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker

o “My Own Way” – Performed by Freya Skye

o “Shuffle of Love” – Performed by Malachi Barton, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Legends in the Making” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

o “Set it off (Encore)” – Performed by Kylie Cantrall, Freya Skye, Malia Baker, Malachi Barton, Dara Reneé, Joshua Colley and Mekonnen Knife

#FIRSTLOOK: “DESCENDANTS” MOVIE COMING TO DISNEY+

Today, Disney Branded Television revealed that the next chapter of the beloved “Descendants” movie franchise is officially in the works for Disney Channel and Disney+, with production on a fifth installment set to begin soon. The newly greenlit Disney Channel Original Movie will expand the music-and-dance-fueled stories centered around the teenage progeny of Disney’s most iconic characters and villains. Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker will reprise their roles as Princesses Red and Chloe, the daughters of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella, respectively. The film’s official title will be announced at a later date.

Picking up shortly after the events of the 2024 hit film “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” the next chapter explores what “happily ever after” is really like for Red and Chloe, following their return from their time-traveling adventures. Set primarily in present-day Wonderland, the sequel delves into the warning at the end of the previous movie: “There are consequences when you alter the fabric of time.”

In addition to Cantrall and Baker, Leonardo Nam returns as Maddox Hatter. New descendants to the franchise include: Liamani Segura as Red’s sister Pink, Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter, Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal and Kiara Romero as Hazel Hook. Additional characters to be confirmed as casting continues to unfold.

Kimmy Gatewood (“The Baby-sitter’s Club,” “Girls5eva”) is set to direct, with a script by co-executive producer Tamara Chestna (“Sneakerella”) and Dan Frey and Ru Sommer (“Descendants: The Rise of Red”). Returning to the franchise are executive producers Suzanne Todd and Gary Marsh. Gatewood also serves as co-producer. EmmyⓇ Award-winning choreographer Emilio Dosal (“Wicked,” “Sneakerella”) will bring the brand-new music-and-dance sequences, which have become a beloved hallmark of the “Descendants” franchise, to life.

“The love for the ‘Descendants’ franchise runs deep, and the incredible response to ‘Descendants: The Rise of Red’ last year proved just how much fans are invested in these characters and their stories,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. “Our next movie will build on that legacy and deliver even more of the magic, music and heart that make ‘Descendants’ so special — brought to life by an amazing cast and creative team who continue to elevate this world in new and exciting ways.”

To further extend the storytelling, the first two movie soundtracks are certified gold, with the third and fourth movie soundtracks hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Soundtrack chart and Children’s Album chart. Additionally, more than 57 books inspired by the “Descendants” worlds and characters have been published, including a four-time New York Times bestselling series. This summer, the North America-wide “Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour” will celebrate the music from the popular “Descendants” and “Zombies” franchises.

Available now on Disney+: “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” the first three “Descendants” movies, animated spinoff series “Descendants: Wicked World,” animated special “Descendants: The Royal Wedding” and several “Descendants”-inspired music videos.